The West Michigan Whitecaps managed only one hit into the ninth inning as pitching struggled in a 9-2 loss to the Lake County Captains Sunday afternoon at Classic Park.
Lake County hitters combined for four home runs, including a grand slam, as West Michigan finished 3-for-28 at the plate and 1-for-6 with runners in scoring position in the defeat.
The Whitecaps loaded the bases with none out in the second inning before Jose King grounded into a double play, scoring Colt Keith from third and putting the ‘Caps in front 1-0. Lake County responded with individual runs in the second and third frames on solo home runs from Gabriel Rodriguez and Angel Martinez to forge in front 2-1. Lake County extended their lead in the fifth inning as Alexfri Planez blasted a grand slam before Martinez added his second home run of the game, 7-1.
Lake County relievers Raymond Burgos, Lenny Torres, Matt Turner, and Damon Casetta-Stubbs combined for 7.1 scoreless innings as Micael Ramirez and Martinez added individual RBIs in the eighth, extending the lead to 9-1. Ben Malgeri added a bloop RBI-single in the ninth inning, but the Whitecaps could not rally, falling to the Captains 9-2.
West Michigan starter Jordan Marks (0-4) suffers his fourth loss, allowing four runs through 4.1 innings of work, while Burgos (2-1) secures his second win, lasting 1.1 scoreless innings with a punchout. The Captains improve to 26-24 as the Whitecaps fall to 23-28. The Whitecaps and Captains have played 115 times at Classic Park, with Lake County leading the overall series 58-57.
